Calgary Stampede's Economic Power: $872 Million National Impact in 2025
An in-depth fiscal analysis has revealed that the Calgary Stampede generated a remarkable $872 million in national economic impact during 2025. The iconic event demonstrated its substantial financial influence, with $721 million of that total directly benefiting Alberta and $664.2 million specifically impacting Calgary's economy.
Significant Growth Since Pre-Pandemic Years
The Alberta economic impact figure represents a substantial 33 percent increase compared to pre-pandemic 2019 levels, translating to $181 million more economic activity. For Calgary specifically, the economic boost shows an even more impressive 48 percent growth since the last comprehensive calculation in 2019.
Stampede CEO Joel Cowley emphasized the significance of these findings, stating: "These economic impact numbers are a clear reflection of the strong community support of The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, and continued demand for conferences, conventions, trade shows and community events both on Stampede Park and across the city."
Comprehensive Analysis Methodology
The analysis conducted by MNP LLP took a comprehensive approach, examining multiple revenue streams:
- Out-of-town visitor spending during the 10-day July celebration
- Year-round event spending at Stampede Park facilities
- Focus on new dollars entering the local economy rather than recirculated funds
For the annual Stampede celebration alone, the economic impact for Alberta reached $389 million in 2025. The event's activities generated nearly $191 million in wages and salaries for Albertans throughout the year.
Visitor Demographics and Attendance Milestones
The study revealed that 73 percent of visitors in 2025 came from the Calgary area, demonstrating strong local support while still attracting significant external visitors. Tourism Calgary president Alisha Reynolds commented on the event's broader appeal: "Calgary is incredibly fortunate to be home to The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth and Stampede Park. These iconic anchors attract visitors from across Canada and around the world, inspiring longer stays and return visitation."
The 2025 Stampede, running from July 4 to 13, nearly matched attendance records with 1,470,288 visitors—just short of the 2024 record of 1,477,953. However, the event did establish several significant attendance milestones:
- TC Energy Community Day attracted more than 193,000 guests, marking the second-highest single-day total in Stampede history
- BMO Kids' Day set a new attendance record with more than 161,000 visitors
Financial Recovery and Future Outlook
The Stampede's financial performance has shown remarkable recovery since the pandemic's impact. In 2024, the organization achieved record revenues of $206.4 million—a 33 percent increase over 2023—while earning net revenues of $4.8 million. This represented a dramatic turnaround from 2020, when pandemic-related cancellations resulted in a $26 million loss.
Cowley summarized the broader implications of the analysis: "This study highlights how our gathering place attracts investment and reinforces a resilient, competitive economy, while contributing to a vibrant community." The findings underscore the Stampede's role not just as a cultural institution but as a significant economic driver for both Calgary and Alberta.
